Sailing along the Amalfi Coast. Sipping wine while overlooking a vineyard in Tuscany. Cuddling close in a gondola in Venice. There are endless images that the idea of a honeymoon in Italy might spring to mind, and this is one case where reality easily lives up to (or even surpasses) fantasy.
Italy is a country made for romance, and it is also an extremely versatile travel destination.
Whether you’re the kind of couple who dreams of an adventurous road trip, a luxurious coastal getaway, a history-focused trip through ancient cities, or simply one that hopes to hit up all the classic sights, there’s an Italy honeymoon out there for you.
We’ve traveled all over Italy, and though we’ve traveled with family and friends at times, we primarily travel there as a couple, seeking a taste of romance wherever we go.
This Italy honeymoon guide is designed to inspire your trip planning and tantalize you with options, and I’ve linked to dozens of our other Italy blog posts where relevant.
Here’s how to get started planning your Italian honeymoon!
Table of Contents
- Where to Go on Your Honeymoon in Italy
- Romantic Things to Do on Your Italy Honeymoon
- Where to Stay: Epic Honeymoon Hotels in Italy
- Getting Around During Your Honeymoon in Italy
- When to Honeymoon in Italy
- What to Pack for Your Honeymoon in Italy
- Souvenirs to Bring Home from Your Italy Honeymoon
- Ready to keep planning your Italy honeymoon?
Where to Go on Your Honeymoon in Italy
Classic Italy Honeymoon Destinations
No one honeymoon in Italy could hope to encompass all the most romantic places in Italy (that’s what all those future milestone anniversary trips are for), but whatever your taste, there’s bound to be a delightful combination of destinations out there for you!
Rome
With its impressive history, iconic sightseeing (Colosseum, anyone?), and invigorating food scene and culture, Rome is a destination worth adding to any Italy honeymoon.
In fact, it’s one of our favorite cities in the entire world!
Here’s how to spend 4 perfect days in Rome.
Florence
As the capital of Tuscany and Cradle of the Renaissance, Florence is a city that drips beauty around every corner.
It’s also walkable, full of delicious food, less overwhelming than bustling Rome, and close to tons of romantic day trips, making it an excellent addition to any honeymoon in Italy.
As the hometown of some of the most famous artists in the world, Florence is the perfect honeymoon destination for art lovers and foodies alike.
Here’s how to spend 2 days in Florence!
Tuscan Countryside
How romantic is Tuscany?
So romantic that we’ve already written an entire guide to taking a honeymoon in Tuscany!
If you want a classic honeymoon experience in Italy, complete with private wine tastings like and visits to idyllic villages like Montepulciano, San Gimignano, Pienza, and so many more, then Tuscany is the classic Italian honeymoon destination for you.
There are endless ways to savor a visit to Tuscany, but a few of the best things to do as a couple definitely include zooming through the countryside on a vintage Vespa, village-hopping in the Val d’Orcia, soaking in a hot spring, and sampling classic Tuscan foods and wines.
Venice
If there’s one city in Italy that simply screams romance, it’s Venice.
From its gondolas to its tiny canals to its quiet back streets and hidden gems (which offer an enormous contrast to its most crowded piazzas!), Venice is an absolutely fantastic place to get lost.
Whether we intend it or not, every day we spend there seems to turn into a romantic getaway.
Here’s how to make the most of 2 days in Venice!
Verona
Of course the city of Romeo and Juliet belongs on any list of suggested honeymoon destinations in Italy… but even without the legend of its star-crossed lovers, stunning Verona is worth a visit.
Verona is an incredibly beautiful city, all interesting stories and lovely towers, and the Adige River flowing through it offers absolutely gorgeous views.
If you ask us, for straight up river views, Verona definitely beats Florence!
The view of Verona from Castel San Pietro, pictured below, is one of our favorite river views in all of Italy:
Cinque Terre
These gorgeous five Ligurian villages have been calling lovers for centuries!
With their colorful buildings, lovely hiking trails, and stunning views of the sea, not to mention their delicious seafood and pesto, the villages of Cinque Terre are an incredible, classic addition to any Italy honeymoon.
Don’t skip the hike from Monterosso al Mare to Vernazza or watching the sunset from the harbor from Manarola!
Here are our best tips for making the most of a trip to Cinque Terre.
Amalfi Coast
Do you dream of sailboats, rocky coasts, and living in the lap of luxury during your honeymoon?
Then the glitzy, glamorous Amalfi Coast is for you!
Sail along the coast of Positano, wander through the village of Amalfi, stare down in wonder from the gardens of Villa Rufolo in Ravello, and hike the Path of the Gods.
Nearby, don’t miss the stunning islands of Capri, Ischia, and Procida, or skip the chance to eat pizza in Naples!
After all that, it’ll be easy to see why the Amalfi Coast is such a classic honeymoon travel destination in Italy (though fair warning, the crowds and prices also reflect this!).
Lake Como
Framed by the beautiful Alps, Lake Como’s epic natural beauty paired with its idyllic villages has made it into a tourist destination that attracts nature and city lovers alike.
Whether you want to hit the water on one of the lake’s classic wooden boats, visit villas in and around Bellagio, go for a hike, or explore the streets of Menaggio, the area surrounding Lake Como has plenty to offer.
Don’t have enough time during your romantic escape to visit the lake overnight? You can still squeeze in a day trip to Lake Como from Milan!
Offbeat Italy Honeymoon Destinations
Are you and your new spouse less about classic (read: popular and sometimes crowded) destinations, and hoping to add a bit of a twist to your honeymoon in Italy.
If so, perhaps one of these adventures is for you!
For Road-Trippers: Sicily
Want to hit the open road, Italy-style? Then you’ll love road-tripping Sicily!
The Meditteranean’s largest island is chock full of winding roads, tiny towns, a couple of fascinating cities, plenty of stunning beaches, some Ancient Greek ruins, utterly delicious cuisine, incredible wine, and even a volcano!
And, it’s all accessible for a fraction of the cost of what you’d pay to vacation in Italy’s more classic honeymoon destinations.
Consider flying into Palermo and then circumnavigating the island and hitting up some magnificent destinations along the way.
Cefalu, Agrigento (especially for its incredible Valley of the Temples), Taormina, and Syracuse are just a few places to consider adding to your trip!
For Foodies: Emilia-Romagna
If you and your beloved are the types who think that a detailed tasting menu or a chance to discover delicacies at their original source is the ultimate romantic trip, then consider heading to Emilia-Romagna!
While literally everywhere in Italy is home to a hyper-specific and incredible cuisine (seriously: Italian food is very regional), Emilia-Romagna is the original producer of some of Italy’s most beloved exports: parmigiano-reggiano, traditional balsamic vinegar, tagliatelle al ragu, and many more.
If you’ve ever dreamed of touring a cheese factory in Italy (we sure did), this is the place to do it!
Consider basing yourselves in Bologna to start, but definitely also pay a visit to Parma, Modena, and Ravenna (you’ll never forget Ravenna!), as well as some of the region’s smaller towns like Brisighella.
Want to add a second country to your honeymoon?
A quick visit to the micronation of San Marino is an excellent option as well!
Here’s exactly how we recommend spending a week in Emilia-Romagna.
For Hikers: South Tyrol
Full of picture-perfect villages, stunning lakes, and the soaring Dolomites, couples who love the outdoors will adore a honeymoon in South Tyrol.
Base yourself in Bolzano or Cortina d’Ampezzo for easy access to just about anything you could want in the region, rent a car, and go crazy: the amount of hiking you can do here is just about endless!
Be sure to also make time for a few towns and cities, too!
Bolzano is home to the fascinating 5,000-year-old man, for example, and the cuisine (which is far more Alpine than “typically” Italian as foreigners tend to think of it), the wine, and the culture (a blend of Italian and Austrian) are all worthy of your attention… when you can pull your eyes away from the mountains, that is.
Planning a winter honeymoon? South Tyrol is home to some of Italy’s best Christmas markets and skiing!
For Beach Lovers: Puglia
There is a lot to love about Puglia, aka the heel of Italy’s boot: the food is fabulous, the road trips are epic, the landscape diverse, and the prices are shockingly low compared to hotspots like the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre.
… and most importantly for those looking to soak up some sun on their Italy honeymoon, the beaches and towns are wonderful!
Puglia has plenty of incredible beach towns to choose from: consider starting with a base in Monopoli or Otranto, which are two of our favorites!
Be sure to tear yourself away from the beach a bit, though: Puglia’s Alberobello village, home to the unique trulli homes, is an absolutely unmissable place in the region.
And, though it is technically located in Basilicata instead of Puglia, you can’t miss Matera when you’re in this part of the world either!
Romantic Things to Do on Your Italy Honeymoon
Take a private gondola ride.
Private gondola rides may be pricey, but what better time to splurge than on your honeymoon?
Add a touch of luxury to your time in Venice and add a private gondola ride to your itinerary… and bonus points for going at sunset.
If you just want to experience a traditional gondola ride, there’s really no reason to book ahead. If you want to ensure you’re serenaded or include extras like a photographer, though, you’ll want to plan in advance!
Here’s everything you need to know about enjoying a gondola ride in Venice.
Go wine tasting & village-hopping in the countryside.
Wine tasting in the Italian countryside is as iconic as it is fun.
Even if you’re not incredibly knowledgeable about wine, visiting a winery and tasting several glasses (usually paired with delicious snacks or even a meal) is a memory that won’t fade anytime soon.
All 20 of Italy’s regions produce their own delicious wines, so no matter where you go, there will be an option for you!
A day trip to the Tuscan countryside, though, is easily one of the most iconic options.
(If you’re looking for somewhere more offbeat, we’re partial to the Langhe region in Piedmont, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site! You’ll find the charming town of La Morra there, among many other highlights.)
Charter a boat along the coast.
For the ultimate romantic experience on the coast, charter a boat for a day!
Swim, snorkel, snap photos of the views, eat a meal onboard: with a private boat rental like this, the sky is the limit and you won’t be beholden to the group’s schedule.
This is incredibly popular around the Amalfi Coast, but you’ll be able to find a way to get out to sea in just about any coastal or lake area of Italy.
Take a cooking class.
Want to bring a bit of your Italy honeymoon back home?
Take a cooking class together and learn how to make a meal that you can share for the rest of your lives.
We loved this farmhouse cooking class in Tuscany, and can’t recommend it enough!
No matter which region of Italy you visit, though, there will absolutley be a cooking class (or several) available nearby.
Marvel at some of the world’s most beloved art.
Italy is home to some of the most impressive art collections in the entire world: Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Botticelli: these artists all belong to Italy.
Art lovers can’t miss the Uffizi (we loved this Uffizi tour) or the Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence, nor the Vatican Museums or Borghese Gallery in Rome!
Don’t overlook the smaller, regional art museums either though: much of Italy’s phenomenal art is housed in galleries that are far less famous than these… and therefore in places where it can be enjoyed with far less planning and jostling with crowds.
Look for quieter museums in iconic cities (like the Bargello Museum in Florence, for example), or for the top art museums in less-crowded cities.
Hike between magnificent towns.
Even if heading north to the Dolomites is too much to fit into your honeymoon in Italy, even novice hikers will find plenty of ways to enjoy some short hikes in Italy!
Consider hiking a small piece of the Via Francigena in Tuscany, or hiking from Monterosso al Mare to Vernazza in Cinque Terre!
Not only are the views amazing, but an indulgent, multi-course Italian lunch will also be extra delicious after getting active for a bit.
Go for a walk in a beautiful city at dawn.
It’s hard to imagine anything more romantic than strolling past some of the world’s biggest icons like Rome’s Colosseum, Florence’s Duomo, and Venice’s canals hand-in-hand with your beloved… especially if you’re doing it completely alone.
This is surprisingly easy to pull off, especially if you schedule your honeymoon in Italy outside the summer high season: just wake up at dawn!
We’ve admired many of Italy’s most famous monuments together without a crowd to be seen, because generally, all it takes is waking up extra early.
And don’t worry: the first bars tend to open around 6:00 AM, so you won’t have to wait long for a cappuccino and a cornetto!
Zip through the countryside on a Vespa.
Is there any better way to explore the Italian countryside than by clinging onto your partner on the back of a Vespa?
Long before we experienced it, this was on our Italy travel bucket list, and certainly belongs on any honeymoon to-do list.
This vintage Vespa experience will probably always rank among our most cherished Italy travel memories as a couple!
Splurge on a magnificent Michelin Star meal.
Italy’s major cities, and some of its small towns and villages, too, are dotted with internationally acclaimed restaurants serving up truly mouth-watering cuisine.
For one night on your honeymoon in Italy, plan ahead and book yourselves a table at one of Italy’s very best restaurants.
Where to Stay: Epic Honeymoon Hotels in Italy
Where exactly you stay during your honeymoon in Italy will, of course, depend on where you go!
Check our detailed itineraries on individual cities for budget and mid-range options in each location (you can use the search bar in the top right corner of the screen if you’re looking for a particular place: we’ve written about dozens!).
Here, though, we’ll highlight some truly dream-worthy properties that are synonymous with taking a honeymoon in Italy. For some travelers, these kinds of properties are worth planning the honeymoon around!
Even if you’re planning on traveling on a lower budget for most of your trip, consider splurging for 1-2 nights on an unforgettable luxury experience at one of these places!
A little tip, though? Don’t book your best lodging too early in your trip: you’ll want to experience it once the jet lag has already had time to pass.
Positano
Le Sirenuse — One of the most iconic hotels along the Amalfi Coast, and arguably one of the most famous hotels in all of Italy, is the dreamy Le Sirenuse.
Home to truly magnificent views, a perfect location in Positano, first-class amenities, and the Michelin-starred La Sponda restaurant, Le Sirenuse is the perfect place to stay on the Amalfi Coast for those looking for a splurge.
Check rates & book your stay at Le Sirenuse!
Florence
Hotel Lungarno — Nestled right against the Arno River and home to one of the best views of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence (not to mention some of the best views of the rest of Florence from their top deck), Hotel Lungarno is our personal “if we ever really want to splurge” hotel in Florence.
Its romantic setting, beautiful rooms, and flawless location make it the ultimate honeymoon hotel in Florence!
Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Lungarno!
Venice
Hotel Danieli — If you’re looking for a true luxury experience for your 2 days in Venice–the kind of hotel stay that you’ll remember for the rest of your life–look no further than the iconic Hotel Danieli, located inside 3 former palazzos along the Riva degli Schiavoni.
Every detail has been looked after here, and everything from the furniture to the breakfast to the location (mere steps from the Bridge of Sighs) to the truly stunning lobby will ensure you have an absolutely unforgettable trip to Venice.
Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Danieli!
Tuscan Countryside
Castello Banfi – Il Borgo — Want the ultimate Italian honeymoon experience?
Try staying in a castle!
Castello Banfi will spoil you with its enchanting rooms, impeccable grounds, and beautifully decorated interiors, not to mention its romantic atmosphere!
Check rates & book your stay at Castello Banfi!
Getting Around During Your Honeymoon in Italy
Within city centers like Rome, Florence, and Venice walking will almost certainly be your main method of transportation.
… But once you leave the city centers to travel between destinations, you’ll (usually) need to choose between taking a train, bus, plane, or rental car to your next destination.
Whenever possible, traveling by train is our absolute favorite way to explore Italy: it’s reasonably affordable when planned well, comfortable, and it can also be quite romantic!
You can browse train (and bus) routes and tickets here, or check out rental cars here (they can be surprisingly affordable!).
We go into more detail about getting around Italy, including the pros and cons of different options, in our suggested 2 week Italy itinerary.
Long story short, though, we recommend defaulting to trains if it’s in your budget, with the exception of places where you actively want to take a road trip instead.
Buses are great for staying on a budget or using public transport places where trains don’t reach, but for comfort alone, they’re never our first choice!
When to Honeymoon in Italy
Each season in Italy brings a reason to visit, which means you really can’t go wrong with a honeymoon in Italy at any time of year… as long as you know what to expect!
Here are some of the top pros and cons of visiting Italy in spring, summer, autumn, or winter.
Spring
You may have to contend with extra rain in the spring… but the blooming flowers across Italy can certainly help temper that blow!
Spring is an excellent time to capture photos around Italy, as everything looks so gorgeous when it is in full bloom.
The earlier in the season you arrive, the lower prices and smaller crowds you’ll experience, but you’ll coorespondingly see fewer flowers (and probably less sunshine).
Here’s our guide to visiting Tuscany in the spring!
Summer
Do you and your beloved dream of a honeymoon sprawled across Italy’s beaches… perhaps in Sicily, Sardinia, or Puglia?
Then summer is the season for you!
Fair warning: a summer honeymoon will ensure that you experience the biggest crowds and highest prices of any season in Italy… but if you want to experience plenty of sunshine and swim in the sparkling seas, it’s still the right time for you.
Here’s what you need to know about planning a summer trip to Italy!
Fall
Changing colors, cooling weather, and the delight of the harvest: fall is our personal favorite season to travel in Italy and the perfect time to take a honeymoon to central Italy in particular.
Fall is the best season for couples hoping for a honeymoon focused on food and sightseeing while avoiding the peak crowds of the summer.
… But as peak season seems to be stretching longer and longer every year, definitely keep in mind that Italy will still be very busy through October!
Winter
Winter in Italy is an underrated delight and a particularly romantic time for a honeymoon.
The cities nearly empty of crowds, prices drop dramatically, and as long as you don’t have your heart set on any particular coastal activities, you can do just about anything you want in Italy during the winter.
Of course, skiers can have a delightful time in Italy.
Head to South Tyrol and Piedmont for some incredible slopes, though those regions are definitely the exception to the rule when it comes to low prices during winter in Italy!
Looking for Christmas markets? While they aren’t what Italy does best, South Tyrol has some magical ones!
What to Pack for Your Honeymoon in Italy
Our detailed Italy packing list should cover just about everything you’ll need on your Italian honeymoon!
To get you started, though, here are a handful of things to be sure not to forget:
Travel Adapters for Italy — If you’re coming from outside of Europe, you’ll definitely need adapters for your electronics.
From a sheer ease of travel standpoint, this is probably one of the best things to bring to Italy to make your arrival easier!
Portable Charger
Apple Air Tags — Air Tags are a relatively new addition to our Italy packing list, but we’ve absolutely loved having the extra security when checking out luggage!
They’ll be traveling with us from now on, especially considering that the airline did lose our luggage for a time during one of our recent trips.
It showed up at our house several days later, and we’re thankful it happened on the way home instead of the way to Italy!
Travel Journal — Take it from someone whose honeymoon is a blur 13 years later: you’re going to want to remember this. Take a few minutes each day to journal about what happened, as those memories are so, so precious.
If you don’t think you’ll commit to writing long prose, I recommend the One Line a Day Journal
I’m almost a decade into mine now and desperately wish I had started it when we first got married.
Umbrella
Option B: Plan ahead and buy a (probably much sturdier) umbrella before leaving. We’ve carried this one for years!
Option C: Hope you get lucky with the weather (but fair warning, we’ve never been to Italy and avoided rain entirely!).
Money Belt — This is up to you: we no longer use one, but if you’re more comfortable having your passports on your person in Italy, you can consider bringing one. We used to use this one
Swiss Army Knife
Souvenirs to Bring Home from Your Italy Honeymoon
There’s no better trip in your lifetime to splurge on souvenirs from Italy than on your honeymoon!
For the rest of your lives, you’ll get to look down at the things you so carefully picked out and remember your incredible honeymoon in Italy.
Everyone likes to shop a different amount, of course, but we recommend picking up at least one thing to eat or drink, one thing to wear, and one thing to decorate your home together.
Oh, and a magnet, a mug, and (if you celebrate) a Christmas ornament, which are all very affordable on any budget, easy to carry home, and things that will make you smile fondly at the memories they hold for years to come.
Here are a few other suggestions!
Wine
Just about any vineyard will ship bottles home for you, so go crazy.
If you and your new spouse enjoy wine, consider purchasing a few bottles of your favorite drink on the trip and shipping them home.
You can even consider saving the bottles to enjoy together on your subsequent anniversaries!
More Food!
Hard cheeses. Limoncello. Dried pasta. Cured meats.
Traditional balsamic vinegar. Olive oil.
You’ll be surprised at just how easy it is to bring the ingredients for entire Italian meals home with you… especially if you opt to ship some directly from Italy!
If you’re a couple who loves to cook and/or splurge on local food when you travel, the shopping options are endless in Italy.
Perfume
So many memories are rooted in our sense of smell… so go a step further in creating nostalgia and give your honeymoon its own scent!
Pick up a local, luxurious fragrance early in your honeymoon, wear it throughout your trip, and when you get home, that smell will be associated with your romantic trip to Italy for the rest of your lives together.
If that sounds like something you’d love, we can recommend the Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy in Florence for a perfume-buying experience you’ll never forget, or as a backup, the Merchant of Venice flagship store in (where else?) Venice.
Leather
Italian leather is known around the world for its quality, so consider adding a new purse, wallet, jacket, or pair of boots to your shopping list for Italy!
Paper
Italy is well-known for its paper production, and you’ll find absolutely beautiful paper stores all over the country as a result (but especially in Florence and Venice).
Want to send your wedding thank you notes out in style?
Consider picking up some gorgeous stationery during your honeymoon in Italy to write them on!
Art & Decor
From oil paintings to porcelain dishware to Murano glass pieces to ceramics, there is no shortage of beautiful decor in Italy that you can pick up for your marital home!
Whatever the personal styles of you and your beloved, be sure to pick up at least a little something during your honeymoon in Italy that will decorate your home for years to come.
Looking for even more Italian souvenir ideas? Here are 35 of the best things to buy in Italy.
Ready to keep planning your Italy honeymoon?
If you found this Italian honeymoon guide helpful, we’d love to continue to be part of your Italy trip planning here on Our Escape Clause!
You can browse our ~150 Italy blog posts here, read more about us here, or check out these other Italy travel guides:
- Planning a Trip to Italy: Your Easy 11-Step Checklist
- Italy Proposal Ideas: Romantic Spots in Rome, Venice, Florence + Beyond
- 13 Underrated Cities in Italy to Visit to Escape the Crowds
- Italy’s Coperto Explained: A Quick Guide to the Coperto in Italy
- How to Enjoy a Typical Breakfast in Italy (Bar, Hotel, or Home!)
First of all, thank you for this amazing post.
Italy is the best for vacation & honeymoon trips. If anyone wants to plan your tour then Italy is the best place for your and your family.